Preventative Care
As H1N1 influenza A continues to circulate worldwide, health officials expect cases to increase in the United States, especially since influenza transmission typically spreads more rapidly during the fall and winter. Therefore, it will be likely that the Mount Olive College community and our students will be affected. Since influenza spreads quickly, our students may be exposed to someone with H1N1 flu, either on or off campus, and contract the illness.
What are the symptoms? You may have fever (above 100.4), cough, aches, diarrhea, vomiting. This flu can also have sore throat, fatigue, decreased appetite, nausea, headache, chest congestion and conjunctivitis. It does not appear at this time that the H1N1 influenza is any more virulent than the seasonal flu.
How can I prevent it? First and most important, wash your hands regularly with regular soap for a sufficient amount of time (we recommend the amount of time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice through). Also, it’s important to:
- Avoid known areas of infection
- Use good cough hygiene yourself (cough into your elbow or shoulder, not into your hand)
- Do not share food or drink
- If you cannot get to a sink to wash your hands, use alcohol-based wipes
- Pay attention to “infection hot zones”―doorknobs, telephones, keyboards, pens, desktops.
What if I think I have H1N1? If possible, you should go home to recover. If you think you have H1N1, you should not attend class or visit the dining hall. You must contact Jo Morgan at Student Health Services (658-7888) or your primary medical care provider. Above all, you should avoid contact with others until at least 24 hours after your fever resolves without the use of fever reducing medications (e.g. Tylenol or ibuprofen).
If you cannot go home, you should isolate yourself in your room. If you are on campus and have a meal plan, contact Food Services and they will arrange food to be delivered to you. Be sure to drink plenty of liquids.
What if I am well, but have a family member, roommate, or teammate with H1N1? You can attend classes or visit the dining hall as usual. You should monitor your health every day. If you become ill, you should go home to recover. (see above)
If I am sick, what about my classes? You must contact Jo Morgan, Student Health Services, at 658-7888. She will verify your fever and contact your professors to let them know you are ill. If you are a commuting student and have a primary care provider, that doctor can call Ms. Morgan to verify your illness.
Can I get Tamiflu or Relenza doses to make sure I don’t get the flu? Generally, the answer is no. Tamiflu and Relenza are antivirals. The Centers for Disease Control has recommended that Tamiflu and Relenza can only be given at this time in the following circumstances:
- Within 48 hours of having a temperature above 100.4, and
- In that case, only if you have an underlying medical condition identified by the CDC, such as
- Pregnancy
- Diabetes
- Asthma
Check with Jo Morgan at 658-7888 for any other underlying medical conditions.
What about getting the H1N1 vaccine? The federal and state governments are in charge of distribution and funding for the H1N1 vaccine. Mount Olive College is registered with the North Carolina Department of Health and we are hopeful that we will have vaccine supplies as early as October, 2009. Our website will be updated as we learn more about vaccine supplies and arrival dates. This vaccine will be free of charge to students.
At the present time, it does not appear that the virulence of the H1N1 influenza virus is any worse than the regular seasonal flu. However, since children and young and middle aged adults have no immunity to this virus, it is possible for this virus to spread rapidly in communities such as universities and schools where there are large numbers of susceptible adults and children.
Mount Olive College will monitor this situation and, should circumstances warrant, direct that other steps be taken as necessary. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Office of Student Development at (919) 658-7838